Seeing Signs: Ichicoro Teases Tampa Heights Debut

For months, Tampa residents have salivated over the imminent arrival of the Heights Public Market housed in the Armature Works building. It’s a brick beacon of delight at the end of the Riverwalk. Ichicoro, a Seminole Heights staples with restaurants in St. Pete and Birmingham as well, teased it’s spot in the Heights Public with a look at its new signage.

It will be in good company once the market opens. Inside the Box, AVA, Atlantic Beer and Oyster, Graze 1910, Swami Juice and others will have stalls at Heights Public Market — you can view a full roster by visit the concept’s website.

Ichicoro expansion continues

The space is set to open soon, though an official opening date has yet to be released. Tampa got a taste of what they can expect from the concept as a center of food, fun and commerce as the Indie Flea set up shop. Local vendors we’ve long adored, and a few we’re just getting to know like Posies Flower Truck (more on that later) underscored a total local revival in the city.

Vendors will be moved into the Gathering, the largest indoor event space at Armature Works. The Gathering is over 10,000 square feet and features exposed brick, reclaimed wood flooring and views to an open-air courtyard allowing access to the Heights Public Market. The event takes place the third Sunday of every month from 11am-3pm.

Bay3 Co-Work Space offers scenic views and networking opportunities

Bay3 will offer a collaborative hub where innovative thinkers can form partnerships with one another. The space will feature open desks and lounge areas, private offices and meeting rooms, private phone booths, notary public on site, member honor bar, conference rooms with catering available, private lockers with mail service option and members-only events. The fact that it looks over the Hillsborough River only adds to its allure.

The space will also be replete with audio-visual equipment. Bay3 is not currently accepting applications for membership; however, interested parties can email info@armatureworks.com to be alerted as soon as they begin the application process.

Concept maintains Armature Works historic integrity

The 73,000 SF Armature Works building was once the storage and maintenance facility for Tampa’s iconic streetcars. Inside the mammoth crane that was used to hoist up the streetcars still looms overhead. Natural light fills the Heights Market area through meticulously designed skylights.

While many parts of Tampa history will remain intact, a contemporary signature will also be left on the facility. Beau Stanton, a renowned artist/muralist who has left his mark on Berlin, Dubai, New York, Los Angeles and Denmark, will add a mural inside the Steelbach Ranch space this summer.

Multiple event spaces for weddings/parties

Armature Works will also house two event spaces. A.W. Gathering will be capable of seating up to 800 guests in over 10,000 SF of space.

This multi-functional area will feature modern amenities such as state-of-the-art audiovisual and lighting systems while keeping the historic characteristics of its exposed brick walls, hardwood floors repurposed from the original roof, and 35-foot ceilings.

The smaller event space can accommodate 200 guests and will feature the same amenities available at A.W. Gathering.

The Pearl rises to new heights

Beyond food and drink, The Heights concept aims to add more living space to the flourishing Tampa area. The Pearl, a rental unit complex, is currently under construction and will feature 314 residential units with 28,000 SF of retail space on the ground floor.

Pearl residents will be able to enjoy immediate access to the Tampa Riverwalk, which offers easy pedestrian routes to Curtis Hixon Park, the Convention Center, Amalie Arena and Bayshore Boulevard. You can visit the concept’s website for updates.

Brian Bailey is the founder of I Love the Burg and That's So Tampa. In addition to regular contributions to each blog, he's been featured as a commentator to Bay New 9, The Tampa Tribune, The Tampa Bay Times, The Tampa Bay Business Journal and The Business Observer as well as national outlets including The Huffington Post and The Wall Street Journal.